Asian Americans Embracing Marijuana Legalization Despite Cultural Hurdles

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May 24, 2021

Asian Americans Embracing Marijuana Legalization Despite Cultural Hurdles

Cannabis started to gain a positive rep after the medical community began to pay close attention to its effective compounds, and now the Asian community has joined the weed “revolution.”

Certain things have taken the world by storm and still haven’t been embraced by the Asian community — not because they aren’t “good enough,” but because they are not culturally accepted. However, there has been a shift in the way Asians view, receive and utilize cannabis. To strengthen marijuana’s place in the Asian community, one must understand what led to this shift.

Asian Americans and the cannabis discourse

The Asian culture is a largely conservative space that had previously shunned cannabis and drug use. The pressure from the United Nations treaties, which the West promoted, birthed an era of cannabis prohibition in Asia, making it difficult for cannabis companies to penetrate the Asian market.

For example, people who lived in South Korea in the early 80s faced decades in prison for cannabis possession. Currently, smokers can face up to five years in jail with fines starting at $40,000 to more than $50 million. The South Korean government also threatened to arrest its citizens for marijuana usage in other countries where recreational cannabis was legal. Now the people from the ’80s and the prior generation accepted these rules by discouraging their children from using “drugs” because they feared the pitfalls of addiction and public humiliation associated with a jail term.

Young Asians who migrated to America felt the burdens of making their parents proud and not disappointing them by using cannabis. From one Asian generation to another, the same message was preached: “cannabis is dangerous.”

With the enormous potentials cannabis offers and the younger Asian generation wholesomely embracing it, one has to wonder: Why is there so much focus on cannabis such that the “taboo” has become the most talked-about phenomenon?

The pandemic and an awakening to the value of cannabis

Globally, we have lived through a pandemic that has resulted in the separation of families and friends. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a massive shift in the way we live, such that people now know they need to be healthy to avoid becoming vulnerable to the virus.

Research has shown that cannabis has strong anti-inflammatory properties, protecting your immune system even with the virus gaining tentacles. With these proven remedies from cannabis, the Asian community could longer deny its impact, which has led to many people embracing it despite cultural hurdles.

The Worst Marijuana Strains Of All-Time? — Photo by Ramille Soares via Unsplash

The Asian community realized that what works and what makes an impact on their wellness trumps cultural preferences at the end of the day. Through the years, cannabis has also had a bad reputation. The lousy rep happened because of the ignorance of people on the potentials cannabis offers.

Cannabis started to gain a positive reputation after the medical community began to pay close attention to its effective compounds, and now the Asian community has joined the cannabis “revolution.”

Changing tide: why they chose cannabis

The new cannabis wave with Asian communities originated from Asians in the diaspora who experienced the positive and uplifting impact of cannabis firsthand in a foreign land. While they still had the initial skepticisms they imbibed from home; they started to experiment, research, and adopt an open-minded approach towards marijuana.

They saw cannabis as their opportunity to break free from the conservatism that prevented them from harnessing the benefits marijuana offered. The cannabis sector is the fastest-growing market in the United States of America, with a 100% job growth in the last three years.

Due to its growing medicinal value and diverse medical applications, more states in America are legalizing cannabis, making it a more socially acceptable substance. The cannabis industry in America is projected to be worth over $90 billion by the year 2026. Such statistics give Asians in the diaspora confidence in the future of marijuana.

Asian leaders and people venturing into the cannabis market

The Asians accepting cannabis doesn’t end with social acceptance, as more and more leaders and people are taking the bold step to invest in the marijuana sector.

Most notable are former business analysts Mia Park and Dae Lim, who moved from the analytical sector to selling craft cannabis. The partners launched a collection of cannabis edibles mixed with Asian flavors such as milk tea, sour yuzu, and lychee. Additionally, the CFO of Papa and Barkley, Zeeshan Hyder, exited the banking sector to contribute to the financial aspect of cannabis companies.

These are a few Asian business leaders and people who have awakened to the tremendous impact of cannabis on health and the economy and joining the community. It is difficult to provide an exact number on the number of Asian-Americans who have gained employment in cannabis companies.

But there are records to show that more people of Asian descent are getting out of traditional work and pursuing careers in cannabis. Interestingly, the Asians born in the ’80s against cannabis are begging to reach out to the younger generation for CBD remedies for some common ailments.

From arthritis to chronic pain and nausea, some members of the older Asian community are beginning to embrace the value of cannabis as a plant-based medicine. They are beginning to appreciate the beneficial aspects of the marijuana plant, leading to a cultural shift regarding marijuana amongst Asians.

Although a sudden mindset transformation on the value of marijuana will not happen, this gradual move from Asian-Americans is laying a good foundation for the future.

Bottom line

The conservative nature of the Asian community towards marijuana deprived them of maximizing its advantages for many years. But unlike in the past, young Asian-Americans who have been exposed to the health and economic-boosting impact of marijuana are beginning to change that narrative.

They are quitting traditional jobs to join cannabis firms and create cannabis products because they have seen how cannabis contributes to American society and economy. As they embrace cannabis despite cultural hurdles, they are paving the way for the future generation to accept and become innovative with marijuana.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted with permission.

Marijuana Is Legal Almost Everywhere, Yet Weed-Related Busts Increase

News

Mike Adams

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May 23, 2021

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Marijuana Is Legal Almost Everywhere, Yet Weed-Related Busts Increase

Most of the 5,000 marijuana-related arrests from last year probably won’t end in a prison sentence. Some won’t even lead to a conviction.

Although marijuana is legal in more than half the United States for medicinal and recreational use, that hasn’t stopped gung-ho federal drug agents from cracking down on it. The latest report from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) finds that its cannabis eradication team was busy last year, seizing millions of cannabis plants and dragging thousands of offenders to jail.

The DEA’s annual Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program Statistical Report shows the agency, together with state and local police departments, seized more than 4.5 million cannabis plants last year (about a half-million more than in 2019) while arresting 5,000 people for various pot-related offenses.

The Hemp Standard Is 0.3% THC — And That Should Be Changed — Photo by Bloomberg Creative Photos/Getty Images

“In 2020, the DEA continued its nationwide cannabis eradication efforts, providing resources to support the 127 state and local law enforcement agencies that actively participate in the program,” the agency declared. “This assistance allows the enhancement of already aggressive eradication enforcement activities throughout the nation.”

But weed is mostly legal, so what gives?

There’s no doubt that many of the people busted last year on federal marijuana charges were breaking the law. Cannabis remains a Schedule I dangerous drug in the eyes of our old Uncle Sam, despite some states legalizing it.

It’s no secret that cannabis growers, even those in legal states, often bend the rules (or disregard them altogether) to feed the black market. Just look at the Emerald Triangle, a section of Northern California forestry across Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity counties. Many weed farmers in those parts still aren’t with the legal sector — and they don’t plan on joining it anytime soon. With more states going legal, that could help explain the influx in busts last year. There are more cannabis plants being grown everywhere, legal, and otherwise.

Emerald Triangle: Does The Best Weed In The World Really Grow There? — Photo by Olena Ruban/Getty Images

DEA agents aren’t just sitting around, updating their resumes, and thinking about what they’re going to do when marijuana finally goes legal nationwide. No, agents will keep busting pot offenders that stand outside the law until the federal government legalizes and strips them of their funding.

RELATED: It’s Time To Disband The DEA

Should the average pot consumer worry?

For the most part, law-abiding cannabis users are safe from the DEA. Still, cannabis advocacy groups warn that marijuana is still far from off-limits when it comes to the role of federal law enforcement.

“While marijuana enforcement is arguably not the same priority that it once was for the DEA — likely because of changes in state policies and in federal budgetary guidelines — this does not mean that the agency is content to look the other way at violations of federal marijuana law,” NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said in a statement.

“There are still several thousands of Americans arrested for federal marijuana violations each year — even at a time when some seven in ten Americans believe that the plant ought to be legal for adults to use and possess.”

America’s Goal In 2021 Should Be Fewer Marijuana Arrests, More Research — Photo by Roman Budnyi/Getty Images

Most of the 5,000 marijuana-related arrests from last year probably won’t end in a prison sentence. Some won’t even lead to a conviction. Federal prosecutions for marijuana trafficking have been on the decline for years.

A report from the U.S. Sentencing Commission finds that federal prosecutions for weed-related offenses have been drying up since around 2012. Marijuana isn’t as big of a deal to prosecutors anymore. No, they are focused on putting away drug dealers who sling the hard stuff; most of their efforts are spent prosecuting federal methamphetamine cases. For those pot-offenders who go to jail, the report finds that most are sentenced to an average of 18 months. Again, these are people convicted of marijuana trafficking, not simple possession.

Why Do Some People Not Get High From Eating Edibles?

Cannabis

Terry Hacienda

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May 23, 2021

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Why Do Some People Not Get High From Eating Edibles?

For those undergoing surgery or using cannabis for pain relief, they may not be able to tap into the therapeutic value of the plant due to their body’s inhibition to process THC like normal.

I remember the first time I ate too many brownies, which sent me into a world of intense visuals, deep body highs and cottonmouth like never before.

Most people who eat edibles feel the effects of it, but there is a class of human that seems to be immune to edibles — and scientists aren’t quite sure why.

There are theories — theories we’ll discuss in this article.

What To Use For Edibles When You Don't Feel Like Baking For Hours — Photo by Joyful via Unsplash

However, the implications of this discovery reaches much further than the inability of an individual to get high from 11-hydroxy-THC, and could impact things like our standardized drug tests of impairment, cannabis medicine, and much more.

Throughout the rest of this article, we’ll also be taking a closer look at these issues.

Are you Ediblocked?

The term “ediblocked” comes from the Boston Globe article, which was the inspiration to writing this article. I rather enjoy the term and also can see that this can be extended to other substances.

For example, I once took LSD with a group of psychonauts where one person in particular said, “I don’t get it, this to me feels like I do when I’m smoking weed!”

I looked at the man with my pupils dilated, seeing all sorts of stuff swirl about while the walls breathed and thought to myself, “This dude is a caveman!” Of course, he wasn’t and in all likeliness he experienced something similar to an “ediblock”.

But what makes the discovery so important is that it illustrates that “standardized tests of impairment” fail to take into consideration that people process drugs differently.

Of course, making a test that can adapt to the individual’s biochemical makeup is still only science fiction at this point, but it also shows us that many people who might have been “deemed impaired” by law enforcement could have been more sober than the officer putting the cuffs on.

Here’s a snippet from one of the guys in the Boston Globe article:

“They couldn’t stop laughing — they were all having a great time,” recalled McDonald, a 55-year-old cannabis cultivator from Ontario, Canada. “And I got absolutely nothing from them. I was sitting there with my arms crossed, like, ‘aw man … everybody’s Hoverboard works except for mine.’ ”

This is a guy named Al who first discovered that he was immune to edibles when his friends ate a bunch of high potency cannabis cookies. Al says he starts “feeling” the effects of THC by the 700-milligram marker which would send most people into a deep bodied charged trip.

It could also be the reason why some people seemingly can consume ungodly amounts of THC while being okay-ish.

For some of you, the idea of being immune to edibles does not seem like a big deal, but for those undergoing surgery or using cannabis for pain relief, they may not be able to tap into the therapeutic value of the plant due to their body’s inhibition to process THC like normal.

How does one become “ediblocked”?

Right now researchers aren’t 100% about the reason but they hypothesize that it could be something to do with a particular liver enzyme responsible for processing THC. As opposed to “inhibiting THC”, they argue that these people simply have more efficient processing capabilities in the liver.

The Boston Globe spoke with Dr. Staci Gruber, director of the Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery programs at McLean Hospital:

“While no studies have directly examined those with ultra-high tolerances to marijuana edibles, Gruber and other researchers have a compelling hypothesis: People with an unusual variation of a key liver enzyme could essentially be too efficient at processing ingested THC, turning the compound into its “active” high-causing metabolite and then its inactive waste product before the active form can enter the bloodstream or brain. It’s also possible other people’s enzymes make them unusually inefficient at performing this process, with little THC getting metabolized in the first place.

“’It’s almost as if they’re skipping the intermediate step’,” Gruber said of people with uncommon subtypes of the CPY2C9 gene, which encodes the enzyme that shepherds THC through its three-step metabolic transformation. “You’re breaking it down so fast it doesn’t have an opportunity to create the psychoactive effect.”

How To Get Edibles To Affect You Faster — Photo by Tree of Life Seeds via Pexels

Why this becomes a problem for the individual cannabis consumer comes down to how we test “impairment” in society. Most of the modern tests do not account for liver enzymes and the ability to process THC better.

People like Al, can eat 500 mg and be stone-cold sober. Yet if he was pulled over by a cop, tested for THC in the saliva or blood — he’s be deemed “impaired”.

According to the Boston Globe: “The research casts doubt on biological marijuana tests widely used by researchers, doctors, police, and employers, which look for those same metabolites but don’t account for the apparently vast and hard-wired variations in metabolic rate between individuals. (In Massachusetts, most suspected stoned drivers are evaluated by officers with so-called “drug recognition expert” certifications, a process that typically includes a saliva or blood test for THC.)”

The issue from a medical perspective

This is not just about getting high either. For people who use cannabis as a medicine, it could mean that if you have a higher presence of the CPY2C9 Gene — you may need heavier doses of cannabis to take effect.

The problem is that, taking too much could send you into an 8-hour long trip, according to Harvard Medical School instructor and cannabis expert Dr. Peter Grinspoon. Or 18-hours in my case.

I guess my CYPY2C9 gene likes to take his time. But then again, I had close to 20 brownies in a span of 2 hours, so my THC levels were probably far exceeding 1gram.

Are High-CBD Hemp Flowers The Next Big Thing In Cannabis? — Photo by BATCH by Wisconsin Hemp Scientific via Unsplash

“Grinspoon said the phenomenon illustrates how little we understand the body’s cannabinoid system, thanks in part to longstanding federal restrictions on studying marijuana,” reports the Boston Globe. “This is something that, with appropriate research and smart people working on it, we could understand and maybe even fix,” he said.”

And he’s right!

The federal government with their anti-freedom policies have hindered cannabinoid research for decades in the name of “safety” and now science has to play catch-up.

It once more illustrates how government’s approach to drugs is not only outdated, but potentially dangerous to individuals who consume cannabis both medically and recreationally.

I wonder where we could have been in terms of cannabis medicine if the government didn’t decide to stifle research and information?

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted with permission.

This Is A Key Trait Of Highly Intelligent People

Maria Loreto

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May 22, 2021

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This Is A Key Trait Of Highly Intelligent People

Social gatherings are picking up steam. But those who are highly intelligent may prefer to skip the post-pandemic parties.

Many of us have had to get used to being alone during the pandemic, but there is one subset of people who likely enjoyed the solitary confinement. Researchers have found that highly intelligent people really enjoy being alone. According to the research, intelligent people experience lower satisfaction when they socialize more frequently with their friends.

A 2016 study published in the British Journal of Psychology theorizes that this result is due to evolutionary psychology. Researchers suggest intelligence was a development that occurred when people were exposed to unique challenges and had to find ways of solving them.

Spending The Holidays Alone? Here's How To Make The Most Of It — Photo by Anthony Tran via Unsplash

The results are contradictory to the evidence we’ve accumulated over the years, where many studies and polls have found that socialization and having friends and people to trust are key to people’s happiness.

According to the study, the more intelligent the person, the more likely they were to solve the problems on their own. The less smarter the person, the happier they’d be when surrounded by friends, ultimately feeling better when surrounded by people to help them solve problems.

Now's The Time To Get High Alone And Do Weird Stuff — Photo by Toa Heftiba via Unsplash

The study analyzed over 15,000 responses from people between the ages 18-28, using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, a survey that measured life, satisfaction, health and intelligence. For the majority of respondents, surrounding themselves with friends was key to their satisfaction.

Researchers theorized that, aside from evolutionary reasons, smarter people preferred to be alone for aspirational reasons. The smarter the person, the likelier they are to be focused on their long term goals, meaning that hanging out with other people distracts them from their objectives.

Still, one study isn’t enough to make blanket statements about highly intelligent people and others with a more average IQ. A lot of people prefer to be alone and are not geniuses.

Canadian Cannabis Sales Reach $246.7M

Cannabusiness

Benzinga Staff Writer

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May 22, 2021

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Retail sales were negatively affected by COVID lockdowns, while new stores and lower prices provided a boost.

By Nina Zdinjak

New data from Statistics Canada revealed that Canadian cannabis sales in March improved 65% year-over-year reaching CA$298.1 million ($246.7 million), reports New Cannabis Ventures.

According to the outlet, this was the “slowest year-over-year growth” since recreational sales in the country began in late 2018. First-quarter sales improved only 1.8% sequentially.

US Cannabis Sales Projected To Hit $28 Billion In 2022 — Photo by Ivan-balvan/Getty Images

The data analytics provider, Hifyre IQ, had projected April sales would improve around 4% hitting CA$309 million. This implies a 73% growth from the same period of a prior year.

Retail sales were negatively affected by COVID lockdowns, while new stores and lower prices provided a boost.

Breaking down sales data by province, Ontario improved the most gaining 121% year-over-year. Sales in Alberta improved 10% from the same period of 2020 and in British Columbia 12%.

Cantor Fitzgerald’s Pablo Zuanic provided an update on sales growth and market share trends by company and province. Based on this, most of the biggest Canadian cannabis players such as Aurora Cannabis (NYSE:ACB), Canopy Growth (NASDAQ:CGC), Organigram (NASDAQ:OGI) and Tilray (NASDAQ:TLRY), had seen their best sales in Ontario.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been reposted with permission.

Cataracts And Cannabis: What’s The Connection?

Kate-Madonna Hindes

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May 22, 2021

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Cataracts And Cannabis: What’s The Connection?

With stigmas changing, more adults are turning to the medicinal benefits of CBD and marijuana to treat eye conditions like cataracts.

“Studies have shown that THC, which is the active ingredient in cannabis, does help lower IOP in the eye for a certain period of time. Dr. Dotson performed various studies, where one study showed intraocular pressure dropping up to 40% using cannabis as a form of medicine.” — Healing the Eye Wellness Center

Affecting almost 25 million Americans, cataracts cloud the eye, reduce vision, dull colors and, when not treated, can cause blindness. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cataract is the leading cause of blindness globally.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that while Americans have treatment options for cataract diseases, many don’t understand something is wrong with their eyes until it’s too late. Slightly more common in women than men, cataracts are a growing issue that is affecting vision and quality of life.

The Medical Impact Cannabis Can Have On Our Eyes And Vision — Photo by Flickr user Ken Teegardin

Symptoms of cataracts include:

Fading color
Blurred vision
Problems with lights “glaring”
Poor night vision
Double-vision

The Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center explains that while age is the primary cause of cataract-related issues diseases, such as diabetes, medications like steroids can increase the risk of developing cataracts later in life.

More Americans than ever-growing risk of cataract-related eye diseases
According to the National Eye Institute, “The risk of cataract increases with each decade of life starting around age 40. By age 75, half of white Americans have cataract diseases.”

By 2050, the National Eye Institute believes cataract numbers will double from 24.4 million adults to 50 million adults experiencing cataract issues. The data suggests that those most at risk of a rapid increase are Hispanic Americans.

“Most cataracts are age-related — they happen because of normal changes in your eyes as you get older. But you can get cataracts for other reasons — for example, after an eye injury or after surgery for another eye problem (like glaucoma).” (National Eye Institute)

Turning to Cannabis

With stigmas changing, more adults are turning to the medicinal benefits of CBD and marijuana to treat eye conditions like cataracts. Harvard Health’s blog illustrates that many Americans are looking for different approaches to pain and age-related diseases. With 94% of Americans surveyed in a recent poll supporting legal access to marijuana, many are seeking out the medicine- more than ever before. In fact, The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) cited that cannabis use has been steadily increasing with adults who were 65-years or older from 2.4% in 2015 to 4.2% in 2018.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology stated that while studies are limited about marijuana and cataracts, marijuana does appear to have benefits with glaucoma, lowering intraocular pressure if dosed correctly.

The Bottom Line

With few studies available or in queue for cannabis’ effects on eye health, it is best to talk to your ophthalmologist if you are partaking in cannabis or CBD and find out if any risk factors exist. As the stigma around marijuana continues to lessen, many older Americans are seeking out new treatments for old issues. Scientists no doubt will want to keep up with trends and create new pathways for medicines to heal the body.

Popping Tylenol Post Vaccination? Make Sure Not To Drink Too Much Of This

Maria Loreto

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May 21, 2021

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Popping Tylenol Post Vaccination? Make Sure Not To Drink Too Much Of This

Tylenol can have adverse reactions when paired with alcohol and medications, but also substances you consume every day.

Tylenol is one of those things many of us always have on hand. Now that we’re all on our way to being fully vaccinated, Tylenol is a nice precaution when it comes to avoiding annoying side effects, like a sore arm. And while it is an over the counter medicine, there are some substances that shouldn’t mix with it. This list includes obvious substances, like alcohol, and less obvious ones like coffee.

A study published in the journal Chemical Research in Toxicology found that consuming large amounts of caffeine while taking acetaminophen, the compound present in Tylenol, could result in liver damage. The study showed that caffeine tripled the amount of a toxic product called N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), which is a key enzyme the liver produces when breaking down acetaminophen.

Researchers said this process is similar to what happens to people who consume large amounts of alcohol while simultaneously taking acetaminophen. Although it’s very common for medicines to have reactions to other substances, it’s important to know that these aren’t limited to alcohol or other medications.

Study researchers say that some people might need to be more careful when ingesting Tylenol and caffeine, particularly those who take other medications (especially anti-epileptic medication) and/or drink lots of alcohol, since all of these substances alone stress the liver.

Caffeine is present in many things, from soft drinks to coffees, and even while an adverse reaction is unlikely, it’s important to be wary. In order to avoid mild complications, like sleep problems, nervousness and irritability, researchers recommend avoiding extra servings of caffeine when ingesting acetaminophen. If reactions such as fever, nausea, or loss of appetite occur, it’s important to stop using Tylenol products and to visit a doctor.

Feds Set Standard Dose Of THC In Product Testing To 5mg — Why You Should Care

Terry Hacienda

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May 21, 2021

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Feds Set Standard Dose Of THC In Product Testing To 5mg — Why You Should Care

Cannabis is already on its way to being seen as a valuable alternative to prescription drugs. And having a standard dose is a critical step for drug approval.

Despite the fact that cannabis is a thriving billion-dollar business today, we still lack standardization when it comes to THC and CBD units.

This lack of standard dosing units makes it difficult for research and testing which can be applied to different units of administration. It’s easier said than done, because bioavailability and the methods of consumption affect how different people take to the cannabinoids.

However, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a federal health agency, just announced that that they’ve come up with a standard THC dose that will be used in all cannabis-related studies. They released the notice stating there is a “new requirement to measure and report results using a standard THC unit in all applicable human subjects’ research,” and these changes are valid immediately.

United States Focuses On Funding Negative Marijuana Research, Analysis Shows — Photo by naruecha jenthaisong/Getty Images

The standard THC dose is 5mg

NIDA made these announcements following the notorious inconsistencies in reporting THC efficacy, acknowledging that it “has been a major limitation in studies of cannabis use, making it difficult to compare findings among studies.” For this reason, a “standardized measure of THC in cannabis products is necessary to advance research by providing greater comparability across studies of both its adverse effects and potential medical uses.” They do note, that “the same quantity of THC may have different effects based on route of administration, other product constituents, an individual’s genetic make-up and metabolic factors, prior exposure to cannabis, and other factors.”

Having a standard dose will make it simpler to analyze THC-related cannabis studies, which has become a top priority for the NIDA as well as the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse. “It is not the intent of this Notice to prescribe the quantity of THC that is permissible for use in research projects. Indeed, investigators are free to use more or less than 5mg of THC as appropriate for their study. However, for applicable studies, investigators will be required to report the quantity of THC using the standard unit. Investigators may also report the quantity of THC in other units (e.g., milligrams) as appropriate,” reads the notice.

To come up with the standard unit, NIDA explained: “Extensive stakeholder input, including a Request for Information to the general public and consultation with experts in the field, led to the selection of 5mg as a standard unit.”

Terpenes And CBD Outperforming Steroids Against Covid-19 in early trials — Photo by krisanapong detraphiphat/Getty Images

Challenges of Standardization

The current landscape of cannabis products, as well as its popularity among a wide range of age groups in treating dozens of conditions, means that cannabis is already on its way to being seen as a valuable alternative to prescription drugs.

However, unlike prescription drugs, until today we still had not come up with a standardized THC dose, which can help pave the way for experts to better recommend a good effective dose. A 2019 study in the journal Addiction discussed the lack of scientific consensus on what entails a standard cannabis dose among different methods of administration and products.

Having a standard dose is a critical step for drug approval.

Currently, rug research starts in a laboratory as scientists work on various biological or chemical substances. These substances then undergo testing on human or animal tissues on a petri dish; if the first preclinical step proves to be successful, then more tests are conducted to determine the other impact of the drug on the physiological systems and for scientists to identify the right dosage that causes the various effects.

FDA Guidance On Cannabis Research- A Glimpse Of What’s To Come For CBD Products? — Photo by Larisa Shpineva/EyeEm/Getty Images

In determining dosage, the pharmacokinetics of a drug should be understood well; this refers to how the drug moves within the body. But if a substance is known to already be effective and safe, the drug manufacturer can apply to a regulatory board in order to do clinical trials. The reason why there are so many phases involved in clinical trials is that researchers seek to gather more information on how safe and effective a drug is as well as pinpoint the correct dose.

Clinical research is required to generate findings that a drug has benefits that outweigh any known risks, and once this is successful, the drugs are approved.

But cannabis is still federally illegal even though its popularity is so widespread. For this reason, these traditional steps involved in clinical research are not used when it comes to cannabis and it has taken so long to come up with a standard dose for varying conditions. Even if the NIDA has been able to come up with a dose, this does not mean they are correct; anyone in the cannabis industry worth their salt can tell you that the NIDA has long been a foe and not a friend to the industry.

Is Enduring Justice For Medical Marijuana Coming Soon? — Photo by Esther Kelleter/EyeEm/Getty Images

Regardless, having some standard of measure for THC and CBD is going to help in advancing research and better understand many grey areas in how cannabis works in the body. The 2019 study recommends standard units for cannabis should be measured in milligrams as opposed to its concentration, and the authors recommended using 5mg of THC as a standard dose.

While the NIDA and many experts in the field always do start out with 5mg as a standard dose already, the authors said that this is still going to pose some problems when it comes to the bioavailability of the drug when consumed in various methods.

The irony is that we still need lots more research to determine proper standardization because while 5mg of THC is a starting point, we all know that cannabis is not a one-size fits-all solution. There’s no way we can take back how far we’ve come as an industry, and moving forward will require some baby steps in terms of research.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been reposted with permission.

What Is The Timeline For Cannabis Sales In New York

Daniel Shortt

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May 21, 2021

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What Is The Timeline For Cannabis Sales In New York

The first harvest could make its way into licensed retail stores and allow for the first adult-use cannabis sales to occur in September 2022.

New York Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes estimates that the first legal sales will begin between 18 months and two years after the signing of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), which occurred on March 31, 2021. That means that the first legal sales would start between September 2022 and March 2023.

In order for those sales to happen, New York must first establish a regulated marketplace. That’s because under the MRTA, a license is required to produce, process, distribute, deliver, or sell cannabis. Those licenses will be issued by the Cannabis Control Board (the Board) with significant input from the Office of Cannabis Management (the Office).

Will New York Bungle Marijuana Legalization Again In 2021? — Photo by Alex Azabache from Pexels

The website for the Office launched on April 2. The next likely step for the Office will be the appointment of an executive director. The executive director will be nominated by the Governor with advice and consent from the state legislature. In addition, the five members of the Board must be selected. The MRTA provides that the Governor shall appoint three members, with New York Senate and Assembly each appointing one of the remaining two members. Peoples-Stokes estimates that the Board will be “set and running” before the legislative session ends in June 2021, according to a report from The City.

Once the positions on the Board and the Office are full, these regulators will need to establish robust rules under the MRTA, governing adult-use cannabis, medical cannabis, and hemp in the State of New York. This will include establishing an application process and rules establishing a criteria for granting licenses.

The New York State Administrative Procedures Act requires that government agencies notify the public sixty days before adding, amending, or repealing rules. Agencies must also provide 60 days notice before holding a public hearing on a proposed rule. These time periods are called “notice and comment” periods and, as the name suggests, they are required so that the public can provide comment on proposed government regulations.

Assuming that New York cannabis regulators are appointed in June and issue proposed rules that same month, the earliest possible date for the first public hearings will be in August 2021. If that happens, then it will likely be another two months before final rules are issued in October 2021.

How New York Just Became The Newest Global Destination For Cannabis Tourism — Photo by Joshua Earle via Unsplash

Rule making will likely occur on a rolling basis, meaning that proposed rules on one topic will likely be issued while other proposed rules are pending or after other rules are finalized. It is likely that New York cannabis regulators will prioritize rules and policies regarding license applications because at the minimum, in order for legal sales to occur under the MRTA, licenses must be issued first.

Infographic NY Timeline 1100

BOTTOM LINE

Assuming that Peoples-Stokes is correct in her estimate regarding Board appointments, and assuming that regulators do in fact start rule-making with a focus on applications, the Board is likely to start accepting applications sometime in late 2021 or early 2022. That would give the Board the ability to start issuing licenses in 2022, which, in theory, could allow licensed growers to start planting in Spring of 2022 for a harvest in Fall 2022. That first harvest could make its way into licensed retail stores and allow for the first adult-use cannabis sales to occur in September 2022, 18 months from the signing of MRTA.

Daniel Shortt is a corporate and regulatory attorney based in Seattle, Washington who works extensively with entrepreneurs in the cannabis industry. You can contact him at info@gl-lg.com or (206) 430-1336.

This article originally appeared on Green Light Law Group and has been reposted with permission.

Marijuana Legalization Makes Black Market Weed Cheaper, Heroin More Expensive

Mike Adams

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May 21, 2021

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Marijuana Legalization Makes Black Market Weed Cheaper, Heroin More Expensive

A new study found that marijuana legalization is creating less demand for black market weed and therefore driving down the prices.

When states first began to “experiment” with the legalization of marijuana, lawmakers, state officials, and everyone else, for that matter, were eager to see how selling legal weed would pan out.

On the one hand, naysayers wanted to judge whether the socioeconomic cost of legalization was worth the tax dollars the market would surely drive into state and local coffers. At the same time, advocates stood waiting for a “told ya so” moment, when they could show the nation that a legitimate pot market would not lead to a drug-addled society. Years later, the results have been mixed.

Will We Finally Have Free Trade For Marijuana After Legalization? — Photo by Aleksandr_Kravtsov/GettyImages

However, a new study in the journal Addiction attempts to shine some light on the legalization of recreational marijuana. More specifically, it shows what can be expected to happen with illicit drug markets in states that pass recreational marijuana laws, and it is interesting, to say the least.

For starters, fully legal marijuana, subject to state regulations and taxes, appears to make black market pot products more affordable. Researchers found a 9.2% drop in the price of street weed in places with recreational marijuana laws on the books. In some cases, lower quality bud experienced a price decrease of 19.5%. The “prediction,” as the study calls it, is that marijuana legalization is creating less demand for black market weed and therefore driving down the prices.

Still, real life tells us that legalization is fueling the black market in a lot of ways. This is especially true in states like California, where illicit pot operations still outnumber the legal ones. The legitimate market has also increased black market dealings across state lines. Law enforcement in prohibition states continue to report more increases in marijuana seizures all the time.

By their own admission, cannabis advocates say the black market will not die — at least not until legalization becomes more widespread.

“You’re never going to eliminate [the illicit market] until most of the states are legal,” Adam Smith of the Oregon-based Craft Cannabis Alliance told Politico back in 2019. “As long as half the country still can’t get it legally, there’s a market for it illegally.”

Another implication of the study is that the price drop is connected to the increase in domestically grown cannabis, which has drastically reduced the need for criminal organizations to smuggle it from foreign lands. Yet, increased domestic production does not necessarily mean that criminal organizations have opted out of marijuana, although researchers believe that could happen eventually. It only suggests that pot production and distribution are now more logistically sound on US soil. As Smith pointed out, there is still a market for illegal cannabis in most of the country. Criminal cannabis producers (and yes, that includes cartel operations) aren’t going anywhere.

Federal marijuana legalization would help. Although it would not force prohibition states to change their pot laws, it would make it easier for them to do so. As we’ve learned from watching the downfall of alcohol prohibition, it could take some time before every state falls in line.

The trick is getting pot consumers to frequent the legal market rather than buy it from illegal sources. A recent report from the Nevada Appeal shows that the black market still produces $20 million in tax-free revenue in the southern portion of the Silver State. On a positive note, busts on illegal grow operations are down significantly. Las Vegas Metro reportedly took down 11 black market grow ops in 2020, compared to 111 in 2013.

Some believe the key to throwing a wrench in the illicit pot market is keeping taxes low. In New York, which is approximately 18 months from launching its new recreational marijuana scene, cannabis advocates feel the tax rate will be low enough to prevent the black market from running strong. Still, illegal weed slingers say they will press on.

Oddly enough, researchers found that marijuana legalization seems to affect the heroin market, as well. The data shows the smack being sold on the streets in legal marijuana states is 54% stronger than in areas of prohibition. Of course, the potency boost has driven the prices up by 64%. However, the prices of other hard drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine haven’t experience a similar increase. Just heroin.

Have You Seen The New Ad Linking Marijuana And Satanic Cults? — Photo by Javi Julio Photography/Getty Images

All in all, researchers aren’t sure what legal weed has to do with heroin, but they believe there is a strong correlation, and they are eager to learn more.

“Our exploratory findings suggest that markets for illegal drugs may not be independent of legal cannabis market regulation,” lead author Dr. Angélica Meinhofer said in a statement. “As more states move towards legalization and additional post-RCL implementation data become available, we’ll need to do more research to determine whether recreational cannabis laws cause those changes in the illegal market and what happens in the long-term.”

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Marijuana Legalization Makes Black Market Weed Cheaper, Heroin More Expensive

A new study found that marijuana legalization is creating less demand for black market weed and therefore driving down the prices.

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